Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif oversaw the 25th provincial cabinet meeting, which adopted a set of significant policy choices with an eye towards farmers’ assistance, labour welfare, infrastructure development, and government reforms.
Important rulings included a change to the Food Grains (Licensing Control) Ordinance, 1957, requiring flour mills to get at least 25 percent of their wheat needs from farmers. Non-compliance could cause licence termination.
Aiming at defending the interests of wheat growers, the cabinet also approved the wheat industry’s deregulation. Furthermore accepted was the Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) system, which would allow farmers to safely store their wheat under government coverage for storage expenses.
Approved in a historic manner, the cabinet approved Pakistan’s biggest ration card program, which will help 1.5 million employees with Rs. 10,000 monthly. Furthermore, the cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding with China’s Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences to bring hybrid rice seeds under Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad.
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The chief minister underlined that agricultural research has to directly help farmers and ordered the prompt settlement of water supply scheme debts.
The conference also approved the commencement of environmentally friendly electric bus operations in several places, including Rajanpur, and greenlight the building of the Nawaz Sharif Early Education Centre of Excellence at the Children’s Library Complex, Lahore.
Approved under CM Maryam’s T-30 Vision were feasibility studies for public transport systems in Lahore (yellow, blue, and purple lines), Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Along with changes to the Punjab Motor Vehicle Rules 1969 to control rickshaws, reform also included a new Punjab Labour Code 2024 extending protection to workers in the construction and agricultural sectors.
The cabinet also approved changes to the Consumer Protection Act 2005, Specialised Medical Institutions Act 2024, and Punjab Judicial Academy Act 2007 among other statutes. Changes in the Punjab Employees Social Security Ordinance 1965 and the Punjab Workers Welfare Fund Act 2019 widened social security.
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Approved in the meeting was relaxation in the guidelines for appointment of instructors about acquisition of B.Ed professional qualification. Approved was notification for the Punjab Minimum Wage Act 2019 hiring of inspectors. Approved was the Mines and Minerals Act 2025, therefore harmonising the minerals sector’s regulatory structure. To increase the reach of the social security program, the authorised suggested changes to the Punjab Employees Social Security Ordinance 1965
In a significant step, the cabinet approved the creation of a Centre of Excellence to combat extremism and set aside 30,000 acres for the families of injured troops and martyrs. Additionally approved were anti-terrorism act amendments.
The cabinet also approved further electric inspector offices and a feasibility study for meter testing labs as well as recruitment relaxations in Punjab Agricultural Research Board and Public-Private Partnership Authority. The cabinet also approved funds for hospitals, WASA Rawalpindi, medicine procurement, infrastructure development in Koh-e-Sulaiman and Nishtar Park Sports Complex, and beginning of electric bus services in underdeveloped areas.
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Along with computerising police stations as part of ADP 2024–25, reconstruction of boards for wildlife and PESSI, changes to the Boilers and Pressure Vessels Ordinance, were approved.
Approved was the founding of a new affiliated institution called “Climate Policy and Technology Centre (CPTC)” by combining the Environment Policy Centre (EPC) with the Environment Technology Centre (ETC).
The chief minister insisted on rigorous application of the Wedlock Policy. The cabinet approved the addition of extra grants for the building of jeepable routes in the Koh-e-Sulaiman region to the Development Authority. Approval was given for the building of a hotel or hostel for player housing at Nishtar Park Sports Complex, Lahore.
Approved for the precious metal (placer gold) bidding process along the Indus River in Attock District was reserve price. Approval was provided for turning the Environment Policy Centre and Environment Technology Centre into Climate Policy and Technology Centre.
